It looks like Norway would like to define Apple's business plans; they want Apple to open up the iTunes music store:

Apple Computer Inc. has struck a defiant stance with Scandinavian regulators, staunchly defending its right to make its iPod the only portable music player compatible with songs purchased from the company's iTunes music store.

Norway isn't the only place this sort of thinking is happening - I was listening to the Buzz Out Loud podcast this afternoon (August 3rd, 2006), and it was clear to me that Molly Wood is thinking the same thing. Here's the deal: there are tons of mp3 players on the market, and more than a few music stores. The iTunes store has the largest share, and that might have something to do with iTunes offering a better experience than most of the competition. The only thing that truly stands in the way of a better store is the RIAA and their insistence on brain dead DRM; if eMusic had access to more labels, I rather expect that their share of the downloadable music market would rise dramatically if they had such access.

Heck, if Apple is forced to include other devices, maybe I should demand that Sun start offering Squeak side by side with Java. It would make about as much sense.

Technorati Tags: iTunes, iPod, mp3, music